Johnny Sexton on the bench and Mike Lowry starts as Ireland team to face Italy named

Ireland will be targeting a bonus point win to keep up the title hunt.

Andy Farrell has named his Ireland team to face Italy and there are a few changes from the side that lost out to France in their last outing.

Ulster’s Mike Lowry starts at fullback while James Lowe comes in at left wing and Mack Hansen switches to the right. Robbie Henshaw comes in to partner Garry Ringrose in midfield.

Joey Carbery partners Jamison Gibson-Park again while there are a few switches and personnel changes in the pack.

Six changes to Ireland’s starting XV

Up front, Dan Sheehan gets his first Six Nations start while Ryan Baird comes into the second row. With no James Ryan or Johnny Sexton, who is on the bench, in the starting line-up, blindside Peter O’Mahony is captain.

Caelan Doris moves to No.8 while we have the likes of James Hume, Kieran Treadwell and Craig Casey all on the bench. Ryan, the IRFU say, is is ruled out with an adductor issue.

Earlier in the week, Ulster lock Iain Henderson was ruled out after testing positive for Covid-19, while Rónan Kelleher is out of the championship after injuring his shoulder against Les Bleus.

Ireland started off their Six Nations campaign with a resounding home win over Wales, but they then fell to a strong France side in Paris. They will hope that first and second place France and England may falter, on Saturday, before their Sunday afternoon game.

Our Ireland team to face Italy

15. Michael Lowry
14. Mack Hansen
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. James Lowe
10. Joey Carbery
9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Andrew Porter
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Tadhg Beirne
5. Ryan Baird
6. Peter O’Mahony (captain)
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris

Subs: Rob Herring, Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Kieran Treadwell, Jack Conan, Craig Casey, Johnny Sexton, James Hume.

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